These are some points that the Ohio Department of Health would like to make in response to the bird flu.

*The H5N1 virus is responsible for the bird flu. Currently it is found in birds and only has infected persons that have close contact with the birds (handling birds, feces or saliva from the birds). It has not been found in the U.S.

*There has not been a human-to-human infection of the bird flu; the virus has to mutate to create this scenario.

*Scientists do feel there is a high possibility for us to have a pandemic flu at some point. There is no way to predict the time of this.

*There is a limited availability of anti-viral medicines to treat infected people and it could take months to develop an effective vaccine.

*Keep yourself healthy by washing your hands regularly, covering your coughs and sneezes, eating a balanced diet, and getting plenty of sleep.

*If a pandemic occurs there will likely be shortages of goods and services. It may be a good idea to stockpile supplies now to minimize financial impact and alleviate potential shortages.

*Our level of preparedness today as opposed to previous pandemics is greatly improved in many ways. We have expanded global and national surveillance of diseases, and we have better health care, medicines and diagnostics.

*We do have unique problems now that were not present in past decades. Increased global travel and commerce could increase the speed at which a flu virus would spread. Our population density is greater. We have more elderly and immuno-suppressed residents who are at a higher risk for a flu virus.

*The flu whether pandemic or seasonal is a respiratory illness spread like the common cold. The Ohio Dept. of Health recommends people get in the habit of covering their coughs and sneezes with their elbows or a tissue and washes their hands regularly with soap and water. People should be mindful of how germs enter their system –through the eyes, nose, and mouth.

*For more information visit www.ohiopandemicflu.gov to learn more about the virus and how to prepare. At the least ODH recommends creating an emergency kit and being mindful of respiratory etiquette.

**There have been no cases of H5N1 bird flu in birds or in people in the United States. Only those who have prolonged close contact with birds are at a risk for contracting the virus. In the US, our advanced biosecurity measures make this unlikely to occur. Until the virus has the ability to pass easily among people, it is a bird flu and not a pandemic.